Grigor Dimitrov makes ‘strange’ admission over Jannik Sinner anti-doping controversy – ‘It makes you wonder’
Grigor Dimitrov admits the way Jannik Sinner’s failed doping tests controversy unfolded was “very strange” as he lamented the double standards that are employed in tennis.
Sinner twice tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol earlier this year as he first returned a positive sample during the Indian Wells Open on March 10. He requested that his second sample be tested, but that also came back positive eight days later.
The Italian was provisionally suspended on both occasions, but filed urgent appeals and his lawyers were successful on both occasions.
The incident was kept under wraps and just over two weeks after the first positive test, he went on to win the Miami Open, beating Dimitrov in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event.
The case only came to light in early August when the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced Sinner was in the clear as he bore “no fault or negligence” as they explained clostebol entered his system “as a result of contamination from a support team member”.
There was initially a backlash with many believing the 23-year-old received favourable treatment as most players are not allowed to play after returning positive samples.
Dimitrov also highlighted the double standards as he questioned why the Sinner case was handled differently.
“As I said before, in New York, what struck me the most as strange was how the protocols of this situation were handled,” the Bulgarian said.
“There are players who experienced completely different processes, with different procedures, and it made me wonder if there were double standards.
“Double standards, this is essentially what I say.
“We see this in other sports as well. It’s not a secret. But the way this case unfolded was very strange to me, even as someone who has been on the ATP Tour for many years. We know things from the inside, especially how tournaments are run.”
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The current world No 10 has also raised questions about the conflicting statements from tennis authorities as he admitted he was left wondering if things would have been different had Sinner not been allowed to play.
“In my opinion, the whole association came out with different statements,” he said. “Some of us didn’t know while others knew; the lawyers knew, but others didn’t. The whole thread seemed lost and maybe that’s what makes everyone question and suspect double standards.
“Do I feel personally affected? Well, considering this year and the fact that I played against him in some very important matches, hypothetically, things could have looked different. Maybe he wouldn’t have played at all, and yes, of course, it makes you wonder.”
